Scientists move closer to understanding vulnerability to infection

New research has moved scientists one step closer to discovering why some people are more prone to serious infection than others.

A study at the Infectious Diseases Service at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois in Switzerland has claimed that polymorphisms in isolated gene encoding for the immune system plays a vital role in protecting against infections.

"It's a big step towards personalised medicine," stated Dr Gerald Weissmann, editor-in-chief of the FASEB Journal, in which the article was published.

"Knowing exactly how the body is programmed to fight infection will prove to be so critical to physicians in the future," he continued.

Research conducted last year has also shown that mesenchymal stem cells, which influence the immune system and help to repair tissue damage, can help to fight infection and prevent sepsis.

Sepsis can occur when infection spreads throughout the body and it can prove deadly.